Automatic controlling means for reversing combustion-engines.



L; J. LE PONTOIS.

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING MEANS FOR REVERSING COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1908.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

l illlN [1 ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEON J. LE I PONTOIS, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, ASS'IGNOR OF ONE-HALE TO BENJAMIN I-IURD, OF NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING MEANS FOR REVERSING COMBUSTION-ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Application filed November 25, 1908. Serial No. 464,365.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON J. Lu PONTOIS, citizen of the Republic of France, residing at New Rochelle, in the countyof Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Controlling Means for Reversing Combustion-Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to automatic controlling means for reversing combustion engines, and more particularly has reference to means whereby the proper timing of igni tion of an internal combustion engine can be automatically maintained upon reversal in the direction of rotation.

My invention is applicable to all combustion engines which are reversible owing to the nature of their cycle, especially such engines which are reversible by virtue of the rebound of the piston, or equivalent element, which is caused by the gas in the combustion chamber being compressed to a certain degree at or near the point of equilibrium.

It is common practice to reverse a coin bustion engine by cutting off the ignition means, setting the brakes to retard the movement of the shaft and to attempt manually to cause explosion of the fuel at a suitable time, and thus cause the piston to reverse its movement at or near the time of reaching the point of greatest compression, and thereby reverse the engine. Such practice of reversing is, however, crude and haphazard,

causes a great loss of time, often failing owing to the difficulty in causing explosion at the proper instant, and subjects the engine to excessive strains.

My invention provides a positive reversing means which will automatically cause sparking and consequent ignition at the proper time interval, and thus reverse the engine, and avoiding the disadvantages and unfavorable results stated above.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be understood by those skill-ed in the art.

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of my application, illustrate my invention in one preferred form, and other features of my invention will be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a regulator embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of Fig. 2 on the line'33; and Fig. 4 is a detail section on the line 4-4- of Fig. 2.

Like reference characters designate the same elements in the several figures.

' 1 represents a shaft, which is driven directly or indirectly by the combustion engine, and rotates in the fixed bearings 2. Collar 3 and its curved arm 4. are suitably fixed in position on bearings 2. On the arm 4: and transverse thereto is fixed a toothed segment 5, see Fig. 4; segment 5 may be provided with limiting stops 5, 5. The bear ing ring 6 is suitably fixed to shaft 1 by positioning screws 7. An end member 8 is fixed to the shaft 1 by the screws 7 passing through the same. The ring 9 of insulating material is held to the end member 8 by counter-sunk screw or screws 10, or equivalent means. Firmly fitting on ring 9 is a conducting ring 11 with a suitable number of contact elements or lugs 12, one such lug being shown in the present instance, which lug is received and held in a recess on the outer periphery of insulating ring 9. The conducting ring 18 surrounds the end member 8, and is provided with a contact element or lug 14, which is received and held in a suitable recess on the outer periphery of insulating disk 15. Insulating disk 15 is movably supported about the end member 8 and is provided with a lug 15, which projects radially and outwardly from the same. Conduct-ing rings 11 and 13 may be made of bronze, copper, or similar material.

16 represents a sleeve of suitable material, and surrounds the end member 8; between the sleeve 16 and end member 8 ball bearings 17 may be interposed, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. Likewise, between sleeve 16 and bearing ring 6 ball bearings 18 may be utilized.

Integral with, or otherwise fixed on, sleeve 16 is a main lever 19. On the lateral face of sleeve 16 and located in suitable recesses, are one or more spring-pressed studs 20, which cooperate with the teeth of the toothed segment 5 to effect adjustable positioning.

21 represents a sleeve of insulating material, which is held fixed to sleeve 16 in a desired relation. Terminal 22 is screwed or otherwise held in sleeve 21, projecting through the same; contact pin or terminal 23 pressed by spring 24 is adapted to effect contact with conducting lug 12 as the latter revolves. Contact pin 23 may be made of steel or like material. The thumb nut 25 is mounted on the stem 30 forming a binding post for one terminal of the ignition circuit.

26 represents a. cap of metal or other material which is frictionally held to insulating sleeve 21 by any suitable means. I have shown in an end face of cap 26 a plurality of curved slots 27, which receive the stems 28, which stems 28 are fixed in the insulating sleeve 21 and project through slots 27. About each stem 28 is a disk 29 bearing upon a face of cap 26 and pressed by an adjustable spring 30. YVhereas, I have shown three slots and associated friction means, it is obvious that the number thereof may be varied.

Controlling lever 31 is integral with, or otherwise firmly attached to, cap 26. In fixed relation with the lever 31 is a contact pin 32 pressed by a spring 32 I have shown contact pin or terminal 32 and spring 32 housed in the hollow portion of controlling lever 31. Limiting stops or lugs 33, 33, are fixed at a suitable angle apart to sleeve 21, and project inwardly therefrom within cap 26 to cooperate with lug 15 fixed to disk 15, thereby limiting the angular movement of disk 15. Each lug 33 is so positioned that the contact pin 32 is brought and remains in contact with conducting lug 14c irrespective of the direction of rotation. The angle between the stops or lugs 33 is twice the angle of lag or lead of spark ignition given to the engine. The slots 27 should subtend an angle as great as that between the stops or lugs 33.

Within cap 26 and frictionally pressing upon the disk 15, may be provided a flatcoiled spring 34, whose tension may be regulated by the throw lever 35 cooperating with pin 36. However, other equivalent friction means may be placed in the interior of the cap 26 to effect the same result. By virtue of the spring 34, or equivalent means, conducting rings 11 and 13 are normally held in suitable sliding contact of sufficient degree to effect electrical conduction. The normal posit-ion of lever 35 is either vertically upward or downward, and thus the frictional wear between rings 11 and 13, and other parts, is reduced. .Vhen the throw lever 35 is thrown to a horizontal posit-ion, the friction between rings 11 and 13 is increased.

If desired, I may provide suitable oiling ducts as 1O, for the bearing portions of my regulator.

It will be understood that shaft 1 may be the driving shaft of the engine, and that one contact per revolution of the engine shaft would be applicable for a two-cycle engine. Furthermore, I may provide more than one contact lug 12, and thus effect a plurality of contacts per revolution of the shaft. Shaft 1 may be'a driven shaft, and actuated by suitable gearing meshing with the driving shaft of the engine, or by other suitable means, and thereby any number of sparking instants per revolution of the driving shaft may be provided for.

The contact 32 may be connected with a lead from one side of the battery 37, the other lead of the battery being connected to one terminal of the primary of the usual tension coil 38; the remaining terminal of theprimary of coil 38 may be connected with contact 23. A condenser 39 may be connected in shunt to contact 23 and 32 to reduce sparking and effect other desired results. The secondary of the coil 38 may be connected to the spark electrodes in any ap proved manner, the main lever 19 is positioned by means of the adjusting segment 5 to determine the proper instant for sparking.

The operation of my improved regulator is as follows: Assuming that the controlling lever 31 is pushed to the extreme left-hand position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, when the rotation of shaft 1 is in a left-hand direction, as indicated by the arrow, contact 32 is in engagement with conducting lug 14 and held in this position from rotation by the stop 15 which engages the left-hand stop 33. The end member 8 and contact ring 11 will be revolved by shaft 1, contact lug 12 effecting contact with contact pin 23 once for each revolution of shaft 1. There will ensue a frictional sliding contact between conducting rings 11 and 13, the degree of friction being determined by the tension of the coiled spring 34. In this position, the path of the primary circuit of the ignition means will be from battery 37 to contact 32, to lug 14, through ring 13, through ring 11, to lug 12, contact pin 23, through primary of tension coil 38, and finally to battery 37. Suppose now that the operator desires to reverse the direction of rotation of the engine. That may be accomplished by grasping the controlling lever 31, turning the same to the extreme right, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The primary circuit of the ignition means will thereby be broken and consequently the gas inclosed in the combustion chamber will not be ignited, the engine tending to come to rest. The inclosed gas will be compressed to some certain pressure, and the piston being unable to pass the dead center, rebounds and starts to reverse the direction of rotation of the shaft 1; it is under these advantageous conditions that the ignition means is restored, as described later, and the gas of the combustion chamber is ignited, ac-

celerating the piston and completing a reversal of rotation of the engine. The restoration of the ignition means is automatically accomplished by the shaft 1 revolving the disk 15 by frictional contact with the same, until the stop 15 comes into engagement with the right-hand stop 33, when contact lug It will be brought and held in contact with contact pin 32; the primary circuit will be completed, when the contact lug 12 revolved by the shaft 1 makes contact with contact pin 23.

It is preferred to throw the lever 35 to a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2, when a reversal of the engine shaft is desired, thereby increasing the friction between the rings 11 and 13, and thus provide a positive means for revolving disk 15 when the shaft 1 is reversed.

By the words reestablishing the ignition means, as used in the claims, is meant the first making of contact when the ignition means is thereupon restored for operating the engine in the reverse direction.

Although I have shown and described my invention in one preferred form, it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein, and that equivalents for the various instrumentalitics which I have shown may be substituted. within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

1. In combination with the shaft of a combustion engine, of ignition means and an ignition circuit therefor, said ignition circuit comprising a contact element carried by said shaft, a contact terminal adapted to be engaged by said element upon the rotation of said shaft to effect the closure of said ignition circuit, means for adjust-ably mounting said contact terminal to vary the time of sparking, and means for automatically preserving said operative relation of said contact element to said contact terminal independently of the direction of rotation of said shaft.

2. In combination with the shaft of a combustion engine, of ignition means and circuit connections therefor, said circuit connections comprising a contact element car ried and rotated by said shaft, a contact terminal adapted to be engaged by said contact element upon the rotation of said shaft to effect the closure of said ignition circuit connections, and means for automatically )reserving said operative relation of said contact element to said contact terminal independently of the direction of rotation of said shaft.

In combination with the shaft of a combustion engine, of ignition means and circuit connections therefor, said circuit connections comprising a contact element insulatedly carried and rotated by said shaft, a contact terminal adapted to be engaged by said contact element upon the rotation of said shaft to effect the closure of said ignition circuit connections, means for adjustably mounting said contact terminal to vary the time of ignition, and means for automatically preservingsaid operative relation of said contact element to said contact terminal independently of the direction of rotation of said shaft.

4. In combination with the shaft of a combustion engine, of ignition means and circuit connections therefor, said circuit connections comprising a contact element carried and rotated by said shaft, a contact ter minal adapted to be engaged said contact element upon the rotation thereof to effect the closure of said ignition circuit connections, and means for automatically preserving said operative relation of said contact element to said contact terminal independently of the direction of rotation of said shaft, said means comprising a second contact element loosely carried by said shaft and a second contact terminal adapted to be brought into contact with said second contact element.

In combination with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connections therefor, of controlling means comprising a shaft adapted to be driven by said engine, a device movable independently of and about said shaft for interrupting said ignition circuit, said device comprising a terminal connected to said circuit, and means for reestablishing said ignition circuit driven automatically by the re-bound of said combustion engine, said last named means comprising a contact element adapted to be moved by said shaft into engagement with said contact terminal.

6. In combination with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connec tions therefor, of controlling means comprising a shaft adapted to be driven by said engine, a device movable independently of and about said shaft for interrupting the igni tion circuit, said device comprising a contact terminal connected to the ignition circuit, and means cooperating with said contact terminal for re-connecting the ignition circuit rotated automatically by said shaft by the re-bound of the engine.

7. In combination with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connections therefor, of controlling means comprising a shaft driven by the engine, said means further comprising a device movable independently of and about said shaft for interrupting the ignition circuit, said device comprising a contact terminal connected to the ignition circuit, and means operated automatically by said shaft by the rebound of said engine for reestablishing the ignition circuit, said last named means comprising a contact element loosely mounted on said shaft and adapted to be brought into engagement with said contact terminal.

In combination with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connections therefor, of controlling means including a shaft adapted to be driven by said engine, said means further including a device movable independently of and about said shaft for interrupting the ignition circuit, said device comprising a contact terminal connected to the ignition circuit, and means operated automatically by said shaft by the re-bound of the engine for reestablishing the ignition circuit, said last named means com prising a member insulatedly and loosely mounted on said shaft, and a contact ele ment carried by said member, said contact element being adapted to be brought into engagement with said contact terminal.

In combination with the ignition means of a cor-ibustion engine and circuit connections therefor, of controlling means comprising a shaft adapted to be rotated by said. engine, a device movable independently of and about said shaft for interrupting the ignition circuit, said device comprising a contact terminal connected to the ignition circuit, and means rotated automatically by said shaft by the re-bound of the engine for reestablishing the ignition circuit, said last named means comprising a contact member loosely carried by said shaft, said contact member being adapted when moved to certain positions to be brought in electrical connection with said contact terminal.

10. In combination with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connections therefor, 'of a shaft adapted to be robred by the combustion engine, means for e the ignition circuit, said means c i g a contact terminal movableindependcntly of and about said shaft, said interrupting means further including means for holding said contact terminal in definite poitions, and means rotated automatically by said shaft by the re-bound of the engine for recstablishing the ignition circuit, said last named means comprising a contact ole ment adapted to be brought into electrical connection with said contact terminal.

11. In combination with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connections therefor, of a shaft adapted to be rotated by said engine, movable means for interrupting the ignition circuit, said movable means comprising a contact terminal connected in the ignition circuit, means for limiting the movement of said interrupting means, and means adapted to be moved by said shaft for reestablishing the ignition circuit, said last named means com rising a contact element adapted to en age said contact terminal.

12. In combination with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connections therefor, of a shaft adapted to be driven by the engine, means for interrupt-- ing the circuit of the ignition means, said interrupting means being mounted to permit oscillation about said shaft, said interrupting means including a contact terminal connected in the ignition circuit, and means automatically driven by said shaft for reconnecting the ignition circuit, said means including the contact element adapted to be brought in electrical connection with said contact terminal, whereby the electrical relation between said contact terminal and said contact element is preserved independ ently of the direction of movement of said shaft.

13. In combintltion with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connec tions therefor, of a shaft adapted to be driven by the engine, means for interrupting the ignition circuit, said interrupting means being mounted to permit oscillation about said shaft, means to limit the extent of oscillation of said interrupting means, said interrupting means including contact terminal connected in the ignition circuit, and means including a contact element adapted to be brought in electrical connection with said contact terminal automatically driven by said shaft for rc-connecting the ignition circuit.

1%. In combination with the ignition means of an explosion engine and circuit connections therefor, of reversing means comprising a rotatable shaft driven by the engine, a device for interrupting the ignition cir euit, said device comprising a contact terminal connected to the ignition circuit, a second contact terminal, means for adjustably mounting said second contact terminal to vary the time of ignition, said interrupting device being carried by said adjustable mounting means, a contact element moved upon the rotation of said shaft and adapted to engage said contact terminal, and means operated b y said shaft upon the rebound of the engine to reestablish the ignition circuit, said last named means comprising a contact element adapted to be moved into contact with said contact terminal.

15. In combination with the ignition means of a combustion engine and circuit connections therefor, of a shaft, a plurality of contact terminals connected to the ignition circuit, means for displacing one of said contact terminals relative to the remaining contact terminals, a plurality of contact ele ments carried by said shaft and adapted to be brought into electrical connection with said contact terminals, and means for preserving the electrical relation of said contact terminals to said contact elements independ' ently of the direction of rotation of said shaft.

16. A device for controlling the ignition means of a combustion engine, comprising a rotatable inner member, a fixed contact member carried thereby, a second contact member loosely mounted on said rotatable member, means for effecting continuous elec trical connection between said contact membars, a contact terminal, means for mounting said contact terminal to effect the contact of the same with said first named contact element upon rotation of said rotatable member, and a second contact terminal, said second contact terminal being mounted to permit oscillation about said rotatable member, said second contact terminal being adapted to engage said second contact element for certain positions thereof, said contact terminals being adapted to be connected to the ignition circuit of the ignition means.

17. A device of the character described, comprising in combination a rotatable shaft, a contact element carried by said shaft, a contact terminal engaged by said contact element upon the rotation of said shaft, means for adjustably mounting said contact terminal circumferentially about said shaft, a second contact terminal, means permitting relative displacement of said contact terminals with respect to each other, and means for maintaining electrical connection between said Zst named contact terminal and said contact element and said second named contact terminal independently of the direction of rotation of said shaft.

18. A device of the character described, comprising a shaft, a contact terminal, a second contact terminal, means for mounting said contact terminals to permit angular adjustment between the same, a contact element adapted to engage said first named contact terminal, a second contact element adapted to engage said second named contact terminal, means for insulatedly mounting said contact elements on said shaft, and means for securing electrical connection between said contact terminals through said contact elements independently of the direction of rotation of said shaft.

19. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable element, a contact element insulatedly mounted thereon, a contact terminal adapted to be engaged by said contact element upon rotation of said member, supporting means for said contact terminal embracing said rotatable member, a second contact terminal, means for mountin said second contact terminal to permit a a oscillation about said rotatable member, a

second contact element adapted to engage said second contact terminal, and means for securing electrical connection between said contact elements.

20. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable member, a contact element insulatedly mounted thereon, a contact terminal adapted to be engaged by said contact element upon rotation of said member, circumferentially adjustable supporting means for said contact terminal embracing said rotatable member, a second contact terminal, means for mounting said second contact terminal to permit oscillation about said rotatable member, a second contact element adapted to engage said second contact terminal, and means for securing electrical connection between said contact elements.

21. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable member adapted to be attached to a shaft and rotated thereby, a contact terminal, a contact element disposed on the periphery of said rotatable member and adapted to engage said contact terminal upon the rotation of said rotatable member, a second contact terminal, common means for supporting said contact terminals, means permitting angular displacement be tween said contact terminals, a second contact element frictionally carried by said shaft and electrically connected to said first named contact element, and means for limiting the extent of rotation of said second contact element about the rotatable member.

22. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable member adapted to be attached to a shaft and rotated thereby, a contact terminal, a contact element disposed on the periphery of said rotatable member and adapted to engage said contact terminal upon the rotation of said rotatable member, a second contact terminal, common means for supporting said contact terminals, means permitting a limited angular dis placement between said contact terminals, a second contact element, a disk loosely mounted on said rotatable member and carrying said second contact element, conductors on said disk and said rotatable member at oppositely facing portions thereof for effecting electrical connection between said contact elements, and resilient means for forcing said disk against said rotatable member to bring said conductors into frictional contact.

23. In combination with the electrical ignition circuit of a combustion engine, controlling means comprising a shaft adapted to be driven by said engine, a rotatable de vice for interrupting said ignition circuit, said device including a contact terminal connected to the ignition circuit, and means for reestablishing said ignition circuit driven automatically by the rebound of said combustion engine and independently of tion engine and independently of said intersaid interrupting device, whereby the direcrupting device, whereby the direction of tion of movement of said engine is reversed. movement of said engine is reversed.

24. A reversing and ignition controlling I In testimony whereof I affix my signature, 5 means bfor a comblillsgion engine conprising I in presence of tWo Witnesses.

in com ination a s a t adapted to e driven T by said engine, a rotatable device for inter- I LEON LE POL TOIS' rupting the ignition circuit, and means for Witnesses: restablishing said ignition circuit auto HENRY J. LUCKE,

10 matically upon the rebound of said combus- GEO. A. HOFFMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

